The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

In terms of education, the size of the institution has been, for me, a serious issue. All of my classes are taught by TAs (or GSIs as we call them), with a large lecture taught by a professor. The TAs grade all the papers and determine the overall grade for the classes. In terms of teaching and grading, TAs can really be hit or miss. Some are great, and some simply do not care AT ALL about the classes they teach. My spanish teacher for my upper-level spanish class spoke frequently in english and once spent an entire class period showing us Brittany Spears and Katy Perry youtube videos... no joke. She once answered her phone in the middle of class. My english instructor admitted to us that she is about to graduate and has "senioritis" so she might not attend lecture as much as she should. Really, your quality of instruction and GPA is based way too much on chance. There's also, in my opinion, too much grade inflation here, and people freak out if they get lower than a B+ in any class.

In terms of social life- at least in the first few years it is pretty much dependent on greek life. If you like to party and drink- great come to michigan! I, personally, do not and have found few other options on campus.... it's not that there aren't any options- they offer free movies and the like every friday- it's just that a majority of students have the sole goal on thursdays, fridays, saturdays (and often every other day of the week) of getting smashed and/or laid. If you want to find people to hang out with who aren't total dorks and don't engage in such debauchery you're really going to have to work for it.

But hey it's a great school... leaders and the best... and it's hard not to feel the school spirit. Michigan's a great school and many people love it here.Basically, my advice is to not choose Michigan just for the reputation- don't be afraid to look at schools that might not be as "respected" but are a better fit. It's all about what feels right for YOU. If you don't like where you're at, you will get little out of your education, whether it's at harvard or community college.